W. Ben Verhagen

Age 91, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2001 at St. Paul Home in Kaukauna. Ben was born in Freedom on May 31, 1909, son of the late Henry and Wilhelmina (Weyers) Verhagen. Ben was employed for nearly fifty years by Thilmany Pulp and Paper in Kaukauna and for most of that time also operated a dairy farm in the town of Kaukauna. Ben was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Thilmany Management and Quarter-Century Club, the AARP where he once served as local president, and the Holy Name Society. Ben was a longtime and faithful member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, where he served on the school board and was a eucharistic minister. Many will also remember Ben for the many years he volunteered for the county Social Services department.

He is survived by his wife: Marge Verhagen of Kaukauna; two daughters: Mary (John) O’Neill of League City, Texas and Margaret Guilfoyle of Appleton; five sons: Ben “Bud” (Nancy) Verhagen of Ballwin, Missouri; Jack (Loraine) Verhagen of Estero, Florida; Don (Kitty) Verhagen of Kaukauna; Bob (Marcia) Verhagen of Boca Raton, Florida; Dick (Karen) Verhagen of Madison; nineteen grandchildren; thirty-nine great-grandchildren; five brothers: Richard (Monnie) Verhagen of Kaukauna; Ves (Min) Verhagen of Kimberly; Fr. Norbert Verhagen, M.M. of San Francisco; Fr. Donald Verhagen, S.D.S. of Manitowoc; Raymond Verhagen of Appleton; two sisters: Agatha Nussbaum of Kaukauna and Millie (Ervin) DeBruin of Kimberly; and a sister-in-law: Gladys Verhagen of Kaukauna. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ceil (Norb) Meulemans and Martha (Ignatius) Schuh, brothers Ed (Rose) Verhagen, Lloyd (Doris) Verhagen, Larry Verhagen, and an infant brother Francis Verhagen, and a brother-in-law Ray Nussbaum.

The funeral liturgy will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday, June 1, 2001 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna with Fr. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 2:00 PM until the hour of the liturgy. A memorial fund in Ben’s name has been established.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of St. Paul Elder Services. We will always remember your care, love, and compassion. Thank you so very much for taking such good care of dad.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130
920-766-6200